Think About It Thursday!

photo courtesy: wisegeek.com

What do you think about wheat for your dogs?

Do you know if your dog has a wheat allergy? How would it present itself? Itchy skin, flatulence, licking front paws, sneezing, vomiting, ear inflammation...any of those sound familiar?

Food allergies are caused by a reaction to a protein. Wheat contains protein, so it is possible for dogs to develop allergies to it (or other protein-laden foods). So, it may be safer to avoid wheat products if your dog develops allergies easily or if their parents had wheat allergies. If you have a rescue dog and you don't know, that's definitely ok, too, and you just need to look at things your dog(s) are doing that may exhibit an allergy and medication to keep them at bay is not always needed - just a few changes in their diet.

As always, we stress to KNOW what is in your dog(s)' food and know how it may be affecting them and their bodies.

Southern Inspired Treats are wheat-free! If your dog has any wheat allergies, you can be sure they are safe with our treats!

Take a look at our selections.

Think About It Thursday

I read somewhere that today is National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day. Um, yummmmmmmy!

photo: Sunset.com

So that begs the question, when I make my grilled cheese sandwich tonight, is it okay to give my dog a bite? Is cheese even good for dogs?

First off, note that SIT never advocates giving your dogs any food off your own plate. But, we also know that, if your dog is like mine,  he/she will stand/sit there in a growing pool of their own drool for however long it takes for them to get just a bite. How can you resist?

Well, you don't have to resist completely, but PLEASE think about a few things before you give your dog cheese. Cheddar cheese has a high fat content and being a dairy product, is also chock full of lactose. According to the ASPCA, "pets lack significant amounts of lactase, the enzyme needed to break down lactose in dairy products." If you give your dog cheese, they may have quite a hard time digesting it and the result? A day/night of cleaning up the results because your dog's stomach is upset.

Certain cheeses do, however, provide protein, calcium, Vitamin A and some essential fatty acids, so that's not all bad. But, mostly, if you're wanting to give your dog a cheese-related reward, it is recommended you give small amounts of cottage cheese instead of cheddar. 

Always think about it!

April Treat of the Month

Our TotM is our Sunflower Seed Cookies!

Sunflower seeds (actually, the kernel after the shells are removed) contain Omega 6 which helps with your dogs' skin and coat! Omega 6 helps decrease allergies, auto-immune diseases and dandruff in dogs, and in combination with Omega 3, can help with inflammation in dogs.

We're not saying our treats alone are suitable treatments for any of these ailments, but that our treats are laden with health-beneficial ingredients for your dogs!

Buy one pound (1lb.) of the Sunflower Seed Cookies in April and get a half-pound (1/2-lb.) FREE!

Hippity Hop!

It's time for Easter and Spring treats at SIT! This time of year is so much fun, the flowers are blooming, the sun is out later and we're getting slimmed down for the beach! Right??! 

Well, you are some lucky dogs, because there are great treats to help you do that! We have cute Easter cookies and cupcakes ready to be whipped up just for your Easter basket! Carrot cake cupcakes, sunflower seed cookies and more.

Call or e-mail us to get your perfect selection at 904.607.9098 or southerninspiredtreats@yahoo.com

Carrot Cake Cupcakes

Various Spring Iced Cookies

Dog Tired!

Wow, what a week we've had! It's been adventurous as we've done something we've never done...been a foster home for a dog in need! Through a wonderful local rescue G.R.E.A.T. (Golden Retriever Emergency Assistance Team), Dutch came home with us!

Yeah, sounds wonderful, but if I'm honest, I have been a bit jealous. I guess I am too big to be around Dutch all the time...I just want to play and sniff him. But, mom makes sure to spend time with each of us and I am not fond of that at all. I want her with me all the time. Dutch can tag along, but she is MY MOM and I deserve all her attention. He's totally milking it, laying his head on the baby gate, rolling over for belly rubs, bringing my mom all his toys. She thinks he's just sooo cute. Blechh.

It's been fun, though, having a new dog that's more my size with which I can socialize and sometimes mom lets me out in the yard and I get to stay out longer because she's enamored with Dutch. That's been good for me and you won't find me complaining when I'm outside.

Somehow in all the madness, she made us and some other dogs some awesome treats, too! I can't tell colors too well, but she keeps saying how they're all green for St. Patty's Day. I don't know what green is and I sure have no clue what St. Patty's Day is (except there is a Patti that I know and love, so maybe it's in her honor). Nevertheless, the treats are SO GOOD! Check them out!

Here's to the good life!
Amos

Think About It Thursday

If you could take your dog with you on a long walk, see hundreds of other dogs and people, enjoy some entertainment, look at and have the opportunity to purchase great products, and HELP HOMELESS PETS all at the same time, wouldn't you want to? YOU CAN.

This weekend is The Jacksonville Humane Society's Trail of Tails, the largest pet walk in North Florida! We will be there selling some little treats and it will be great weather! And, most importantly, you will be contributing to the mission of our no-kill Humane Society to provide loving home for needy pets.

Don't just think about it - be there!



It's so cool to be at Trail of Tails!



Think About it Thursday!

A new little thing we're calling "Think About it Thursday." Just a note each week to get you thinking! Hope you enjoy!

When you last bought your dog treats, did you look at the list of ingredients? Do you really know what's in them? And...how long have they kept in your pantry or on your counter?

Just like human food, the longer something lasts, the less fresh it is and the more questionable the ingredients to get it to last that long.

THINK ABOUT IT!